ÿþ<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <title>Hydroelectric Energy - Hydroelectric Renewable Energy - Micro Hydro System.</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name="description" content="Hydroelectric Energy Explanation  What is hydroelectric energy, benefits of hydroelectric energy." /> <meta name="keywords" content="Hydroelectric Energy, Hydroelectric Energy, Hydroelectric Renewable Energy, Micro Hydro System, Hydroelectric, Energy" /> <meta name="title" content="Hydroelectric Energy - Hydroelectric Renewable Energy - Micro Hydro System." /> <meta name="ROBOTS" content="follow,all" /> <meta name="copyright" content="Copyright (c) 2007" /> <link rel="icon" href="../animated_favicon1.gif" type="image/gif" > <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- <!-- function fnQuickLaunch(x){ if (document.frmQuickLaunch.menuQuickLaunch.value != "null") { document.location.href = x } } function MM_findObj(n, d) { //v4.01 var p,i,x; if(!d) d=document; if((p=n.indexOf("?"))>0&&parent.frames.length) { d=parent.frames[n.substring(p+1)].document; n=n.substring(0,p);} if(!(x=d[n])&&d.all) x=d.all[n]; for (i=0;!x&&i<d.forms.length;i++) x=d.forms[i][n]; for(i=0;!x&&d.layers&&i<d.layers.length;i++) x=MM_findObj(n,d.layers[i].document); if(!x && d.getElementById) x=d.getElementById(n); return x; } function MM_preloadImages() { //v3.0 var d=document; if(d.images){ if(!d.MM_p) d.MM_p=new Array(); var i,j=d.MM_p.length,a=MM_preloadImages.arguments; for(i=0; i<a.length; i++) if (a[i].indexOf("#")!=0){ d.MM_p[j]=new Image; d.MM_p[j++].src=a[i];}} } function MM_swapImgRestore() { //v3.0 var i,x,a=document.MM_sr; for(i=0;a&&i<a.length&&(x=a[i])&&x.oSrc;i++) x.src=x.oSrc; } function MM_swapImage() { //v3.0 var i,j=0,x,a=MM_swapImage.arguments; document.MM_sr=new Array; for(i=0;i<(a.length-2);i+=3) if ((x=MM_findObj(a[i]))!=null){document.MM_sr[j++]=x; if(!x.oSrc) x.oSrc=x.src; x.src=a[i+2];} } //--> </script> <link href="css.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> </head> <body onLoad="MM_preloadImages('../images/Insulation2.gif','../images/Renewable2.gif','../images/Utilities2.gif','../images/promise2.gif','../buttonorangeb.jpg','../images/ourbita#.jpg');MM_preloadImages('../buttonbc.gif','../images/Inspections2.gif','../images/Home2.gif')"> <div id="main"> <div id="upperlink"> <div id="sidemenu"> <a href="http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/" class="whitetxtnormal">HES.co.uk Home</a> | <a href="../General/contact.htm" class="whitetxtnormal">Contact us</a> | <a href="../print.htm" class="whitetxtnormal">Print page </a>|<a href="../General/links.htm" class="whitetxtnormal"> Links</a></div> <div id="clock"> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"> var now = new Date(); var months = new Array( 'January','February','March','April','May', 'June','July','August','September','October', 'November','December'); var date = ((now.getDate()<10) ? "0" : "")+ now.getDate(); var ampm = ((now.getHours()>12) ? "PM" : "AM"); var hours = ((now.getHours()>12) ? (now.getHours() - 12) : (now.getHours())); var mins = ((now.getMinutes()<10) ? "0" : "")+ now.getMinutes(); today = date + " " + months[now.getMonth()] + ", " + now.getFullYear() + " " + hours + ":" + mins + " " + ampm; document.write(today); </script> </div> </div> <div id="box"> <div id="first"> <div id="google"> <div id="googleimg"><a href="http://www.google.com/"> <img src="http://www.google.com/logos/Logo_25gry.gif" border="0" alt="Google" align="middle"></a></div> <div id="inbox"> <form method="get" action="http://www.google.co.uk/custom" target="_top" class="upperform"> <input type="hidden" name="domains" value="HomeEnergySaver.co.uk"> <label for="sbi" style="display: none"></label> <input type="text" name="q" size="20" maxlength="255" value="" id="sbi"> <label for="sbb" style="display: none"></label> <input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search" id="sbb"><br> <input type="radio" name="sitesearch" value="" id="ss0"> <label for="ss0" class="font1" title="Search the Web">Web</label> <input type="radio" name="sitesearch" value="HomeEnergySaver.co.uk" checked id="ss1"> <label for="ss1" class="font1" title="Search HomeEnergySaver.co.uk">HomeEnergySaver.co.uk</label> <input type="hidden" name="forid" value="1"> <input type="hidden" name="client" value="pub-5099799612215535"> &nbsp; <input type="hidden" name="ie" value="ISO-8859-1"> <input type="hidden" name="oe" value="ISO-8859-1"> <input type="hidden" name="cof" value="GALT:#008000;GL:1;DIV:#336699;VLC:663399;AH:center;BGC:FFFFFF;LBGC:FFFFFF;ALC:0000FF;LC:0000FF;T:000000;GFNT:0000FF;GIMP:0000FF;LH:50;LW:154;L:http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/images/hes_logo.gif;S:http://;FORID:1"> <input type="hidden" name="hl" value="en"> </form> </div> </div> <div id="login"> <table width="140" border="0"> <tr> <td height="46" valign="bottom"><form name="frmQuickLaunch" style="display:inline; margin-top:0px;"> <div align="left"> <select name="menuQuickLaunch" onChange="fnQuickLaunch(document.frmQuickLaunch.menuQuickLaunch.options[document.frmQuickLaunch.menuQuickLaunch.options.selectedIndex].value)"> <option>Quick Launch...</option> <option value="../insulation/insulation.htm">Insulation</option> <option value="../insulation/draughtproofing.htm">Draught Proofing</option> <option value="../renewables/solar.htm">Solar Power</option> <option value="../wind.htm">Wind Power</option> <option value="../General/energysavingtips.htm">Energy Saving Tips</option> <option value="../grantadvice.htm">Grant Advice</option> <option value="../housecheck.htm">House Check</option> <option value="../news.htm">Forward Thinking</option> <option value="../faq.htm">FAQ</option> <option value="../letushelp.htm">Let us help</option> <option value="../links.htm">Useful Links</option> <option value="../General/news.htm">Latest News</option> </select> </div> </form></td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <div id="img1"><img src="../images/pinpaper.jpg" width="210" height="190" border="0" usemap="#Map"> <map name="Map"> <area shape="rect" coords="55,25,201,171"> </map></div> <div id="logos"> <div id="logoimg"><a href="http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/"><img src="../images/logo2.jpg" alt="Home Insulation at Home Energy Saver" width="404" height="95" border="0"></a></div> <div id="greenband"><div id="greentext"><a href="../insulation/cavityinsulation.htm" class="greentxt">Cavity Wall Insulation Grants</a><span class="greentxt"> and<a class="greentxt" href="../insulation/loftinsulation.htm"> Loft Insulation Grants</font></a> available now</span></div></div> </div> <div id="uppermenu"> <div id="menu"><table width="850" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td><a href="http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image26','','../images/Home2.gif',1)"><img src="../images/Home1.gif" alt="Home" name="Image26" width="164" height="35" border="0"></a></td> <td><a href="../insulation/insulation.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Insulation','','../images/Insulation2.gif',1)"><img src="../images/Insulation1.gif" alt="Insulation" name="Insulation" width="170" height="35" border="0"></a></td> <td><a href="renewables.htm"><img src="../images/Renewable2.gif" alt="Renewable Energy" name="Renewable" width="170" height="35" border="0"></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/hip/hip.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image25','','../images/Inspections2.gif',1)"><img src="../images/Inspections1.gif" alt="Home Inspections" name="Image25" width="170" height="35" border="0"></a></td> <td><a href="../utilities/utilities.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image8','','../images/Utilities2.gif',1)"><img src="../images/Utilities1.gif" alt="Utility Bills" name="Image8" width="170" height="35" border="0"></a></td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="t_base"> <span class="t_words"><a href="solar.htm">Solar</a></span> &nbsp;|&nbsp; <span class="t_words"><a href="wind.htm">Wind</a></span> &nbsp;|&nbsp; <span class="t_words"><a href="geothermal.htm">Geothermal</a></span> &nbsp;|&nbsp; <span class="t_words"><a href="hydroelectric.htm">Hydroelectric</a></span> &nbsp;|&nbsp; <span class="t_words"><a href="renewableenergygrants.htm">Grants</a></span> &nbsp;|&nbsp; <span class="t_words"><a href="renewableenergyfaq.htm">FAQ</a></span> &nbsp;|&nbsp; <span class="t_words"><a href="renewableenergylinks.htm">Links</a></span></div> </div> </div> <div id="lowerbox"> <div id="left_bar"> <div class="left_div_clear_1"> <a href="../General/aboutus.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Promise','','../images/side2/promiseb.gif',1)"> <img src="../images/side2/promisea.gif" alt="Our Promise to You" name="Promise" class="left_fixed_button"> </a><a href="../General/heretohelp.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Help','','../images/side2/helpb.gif',1)"> <img src="../images/side2/helpa.gif" alt="Here to help" name="Help" class="left_fixed_button"> </a><a href="../General/news.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('News','','../images/side2/newsb.gif',1)"> <img src="../images/side2/newsa.gif" alt="In the news" name="News" class="left_fixed_button"> </a><a href="../General/energysavingtips.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Tips','','../images/side2/tipsb.gif',1)"> <img src="../images/side2/tipsa.gif" alt="Energy saving tips" name="Tips" class="left_fixed_button"> </a><a href="../General/links.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Links','','../images/side2/linksb.gif',1)"> <img src="../images/side2/linksa.gif" alt="Useful links" name="Links" class="left_fixed_button"> </a></div> <div class="left_div_clear_2"> <a href="../General/carbonfootprint.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('CFButton','','../images/CFButb.gif',1)"> <img src="../images/CFButa.gif" alt="Calculate your carbon footprint" name="CFButton" class="left_img_link" height="135"> </a><a href="../hip/hip.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('HIPSButton','','../HIPSButb.jpg',1)"><img src="../HIPSButa.jpg" alt="Home Information Packs" name="HIPSButton" class="left_img_link" height="165"> </a><a href="../General/housecheck.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image24','','../images/housecheckd.jpg',1)"><img src="../images/housecheckc.jpg" alt="House Check" name="Image24" class="left_img_link" height="165"> </a></div><div class="left_div_green"> <a href="../blogpage1.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image23','','../images/blogsidesmalld.gif',1)"><img src="../images/blogsidesmallc.gif" alt="Read our new Energy Blog" name="Image23" width="148" height="45" vspace="5" border="0"></a><br> <br> <br> </div> </div> <div id="right_bar"> <div id="contentbox"> <div id="content"> <p align="justify"><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><font color="#006600" size="3"><strong><font color="#000000">Hydroelectric Energy Explained</font></strong></font></font></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hydroelectric power is the energy derived from flowing water in rivers, or from man-made installations where water flows from a high-level reservoir down through a tunnel and away from the dam. Water power was used for centuries to power machinery, for example for grinding corn or in mills and factories, but was largely replaced by steam power in the Industrial Revolution. Water power is now mainly used to generate electrical energy.<img src="../images/Hydr%20pic.jpg" alt="Hydroelectic Energy" width="215" height="343" hspace="20" vspace="20" align="right"></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Hydroelectric</strong><br> <br> Turbines placed within the flow of water extract its kinetic energy and convert it to mechanical energy. This causes the turbines to rotate at high speed. The turbines drive a generator that converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The amount of hydroelectric power that can be generated is related to the water flow and the vertical distance (known as &#8216;head&#8217;) through which the water has fallen.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> In the smallest hydroelectric schemes, the head of water can be a few metres; in larger schemes, the power station that houses the turbines is often hundreds of metres below the reservoir.<br> <br> Hydroelectric systems can be connected to the main electricity grid, or can be part of a stand-alone power system. In a grid-connected system, any electricity generated in excess of consumption on site can be &#8216;sold&#8217; to electricity companies. In an off-grid hydroelectric system, electricity can be supplied directly to the user or via a battery bank.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">There are three main types of hydroelectric schemes:<br> <em>&gt; storage schemes<br> &gt; run-of-river schemes<br> &gt; pumped storage.</em></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In storage schemes, a dam impounds water in a reservoir that feeds the turbine and generator, usually located within the dam itself.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Run-of-river schemes utilise the natural flow of a river, where the continuity of flow can be enhanced by a weir. Both storage and run-of-river schemes can be diversion schemes where water is channelled from a river, lake or dammed reservoir to a remote powerhouse containing the turbine and generator. A canal or low-pressure tunnel transports the water to this end point and then back to the river or to another watercourse.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pumped storage incorporates two reservoirs. At times of low demand, generally at night, electricity is used to pump water from the lower to the upper basin. This water is then released to create power at a time when demand, and therefore price, is high. Pumped storage is not a renewable application as it is reliant upon an electricity supply and energy losses are always involved when pumping the water. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Tidal barrage systems can, like run-of-river schemes, use the incoming and outgoing tidal flow, or, like pumped storage schemes, store the incoming tidal flow in a reservoir to be released at low tide.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">There a number of instances where people have decided to install micro-hydro schemes and, in general, even small-scale schemes provide sufficient power for a number of houses or a small community. The geography and geology of your surrounding area will play a major role in determining the feasibility and cost of the project.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In general you will need planning permission. This is because water resources do not usually fall within an individual&#8217;s or community&#8217;s area of land. You should always contact your local district or borough council and speak to a planner before proceeding. The British Hydropower Association (www.british-hydro.org) can tell you more about developments in your area.<br> <br> <br> <font size="3"><strong>Micro Hydro System</strong></font></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Greenearth Energy is an accredited installer of micro hydro power systems under the Clear Skies grant scheme.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">This system is suitable for situations where there is a combination of sufficient water flow and 'head' (the height the water drops) to drive a turbine to generate electricity. The output from the system is a product of the two, with some efficiency factors to consider.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Not very much water is needed if the water drops more than 20metres (for example a mountain stream) or very large amounts are needed if the water only drops a few feet (a large river). <a href="../multimedia/hydro_table.pdf" target="_blank">See table here</a> for indications of the relationship between flow and head for the same output. Please note, not all the water in a stream may be taken for hydro purposes. Typically only up to 50% is allowed and it is necessary to obtain an abstraction license from the Environment Agency.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The system requires an intake for the water, a penstock (conduit) through which the water is transported to the turbine. The turbine, generator and control gear need to be housed. Hydro can be used for off-grid or grid connected applications.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Greenearth is currently working on a number of hydro installations. The most recently commissioned hydro turbine, installed on a small farm in South Wales, produces 1.7 kilowatts continuously (equivalent to 1.7 units per hour). This equates to over 14,875 units per year - the average consumption per UK household is about 3,800 units per year.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">For further information visit <a href="http://www.greenearthenergy.co.uk" target="_blank">www.greenearthenergy.co.uk</a></font><font color="#000000" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </font><font color="#006600" size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </font></p> <p><br> </span><img src="../logos_footer.gif" alt="certificates" width="484" height="51" align="top"></p> </div> </div> <div class="right_div_clear"><img src="../images/contactus.gif" alt="Contact us" width="160"><br> <a href="../callrequest.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image18','','../images/requestb.gif',1)"><img src="../images/requesta.gif" alt="Request a call back" name="Image18" width="160" border="0"><br> </a><a href="../enquiry.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image20','','../images/enquirenowb.gif',1)"><img src="../images/enquirenowa.gif" alt="Use our enquiry form" name="Image20" width="160" border="0"><br> </a><a href="../insulationsurvey.aspx" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image21','','../images/arrangeb.gif',1)"><img src="../images/arrangea.gif" alt="Arrange a free survey" name="Image21" width="160" border="0"><br> </a></div> </div> </div> <div id="footer-main"> <a href=" http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/" class="footer-txt"> Home</a> <span class="homewhite"> | </span><a href="http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/aboutus.htm" class="footer-txt">About Us</a><span class="homewhite"> | </span><a href="http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/blog" class="footer-txt">Blog</a><span class="homewhite"> | </span> <a href="http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/resources.htm" class="footer-txt"> Resources</a><span class="homewhite"> | </span><a href="http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/sitemap.htm" class="footer-txt">Sitemap</a></div> <div id="footer-black"> <a href="http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/insulation/cavityinsulation.htm">Cavity Wall Insulation</a> | <a href=" http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/insulation/loftinsulation.htm"> Loft Insulation</a> | <a href="http://www.homeenergysaver.co.uk/insulation/insulation.htm">Insulation Grants</a> </div> <div id="footer-black"> © 2007 @ home energy saver</div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7392278-5"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {}</script> </body> </html>